Proverbs 21
1 The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
Every way of a man seems right to himself. But the Lord weighs hearts.
3 Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
To do mercy and judgment is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifices.
4 Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
To lift up the eyes is to enlarge the heart. The lamp of the impious is sin.
5 Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
The intentions of the robust continually bring forth abundance. But all the lazy are continually in need.
6 Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
Whoever gathers treasures by a lying tongue is vain and heartless. And he will stumble into the snares of death.
7 The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
The robberies of the impious will drag them down, because they were not willing to do judgment.
8 Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
The perverse way of a man is foreign. But whoever is pure: his work is upright.
9 It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with a contentious woman and in a shared house.
10 Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
The soul of the impious desires evil; he will not take pity on his neighbor.
11 When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
When the pestilent is punished, a little one will become wiser. And if he pursues what is wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
The just thinks carefully about the house of the impious, so that he may draw the impious away from evil.
13 If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
Whoever blocks his ears to the outcry of the poor shall also cry out himself, and he will not be heeded.
14 A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
A surprise gift extinguishes anger. And a gift concealed in the bosom extinguishes the greatest indignation.
15 When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.
16 Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
A man who wanders astray from the way of doctrine will linger in the company of the giants.
17 If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.
Whoever loves a feast will be in deprivation. Whoever loves wine and fatness will not be enriched.
18 The wicked pay the price and not the good; those who are deceitful and not those who live right.
The impious is given over instead of the just, and the iniquitous is given over in place of the upright.
19 It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.
It is better to live in a deserted land, than with a quarrelsome and emotional woman.
20 The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
There is desirable treasure, as well as oil, in the habitations of the just. And the imprudent man will waste it.
21 If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
Whoever follows justice and mercy shall discover life, justice, and glory.
22 The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
The wise has ascended the city of the strong, and he has torn down the bulwark of its confidence.
23 If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from anguish.
24 A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
A proud and arrogant one is also called ignorant, if he, in anger, acts according to pride.
25 Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
Desires kill the lazy, for his hands are not willing to work at all.
26 Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
He covets and desires all day long. But whoever is just shall distribute and shall not cease.
27 The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
The sacrifices of the impious are abominable, because they are offered out of wickedness.
28 The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
A lying witness will perish. An obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
The impious man insolently hardens his face. But whoever is upright corrects his own way.
30 Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel, which is against the Lord.
31 You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle. But the Lord bestows salvation.
